On October 1, Washington D.C. passed emergency legislation making it easier for landlords to evict tenants who haven’t paid rent.
The bill rolls back pandemic-era protections that helped low-income renters but left many landlords facing major losses.
Until now, tenants could avoid eviction simply by applying to the emergency rental assistance program (ERAP), even if they weren’t approved. This loophole led to hundreds of millions in unpaid rent – $100 million in 2024 alone – and district leaders estimate that 20% of renters in D.C. still aren’t paying rent each month.
Under the new bill, tenants will need to show proof of financial hardship to qualify for aid. Even if they qualify, ERAP will only protect them from eviction for a short time. The bill also removes the requirement for judges to delay eviction proceedings if a tenant has a pending ERAP application.
Tenant advocates are worried the rollback could lead to mass evictions, especially with ERAP's allegedly slow processing time. However, it's uncertain how much can realistically be done – the emergency bill is only in effect for 90 days.
D.C.’s approach could inspire similar legislation in other states facing high rates of rent delinquency, including New York, Louisiana, and Texas. For now, this bill provides some relief to D.C. landlords and property managers, offering a clearer, more streamlined path toward financial recovery – assuming they can beat the clock.
More housing policy headlines
New California laws tighten renter protections – Multifamily Dive
Illinois expands landlord retaliation laws – who's next? – PayProp blog
Biden-Harris administration awards $10 million to protect, empower low-income tenants – HUD
